And re: Low LSAT scores... Indeed, Dean Pless at UIC even stated that last year, they accepted scores as low as 147 (albeit not many of them).

I had considered applying to UIC, but I just didn't see how a 158 would make the cut.

The school takes a few reverse splitters. I was on the waitlist as a 159/3.74/non-URM. Before the trolls arrive to crucify me, let me point out that getting waitlisted is different than having a real shot at admission. Still, I'd encourage you to try.

Well, getting WL gives you another chance to attempt to supply the committee more information in order to get an acceptance...its better than getting denied that's for sure.

XxSpyKEx wrote:FWIW, my numbers were 4.0/149. I was planning on taking a year off and re-taking (there was just so much that went wrong on the day I took the LSAT; although, I don't think I would have done better than high 150s without a lot more practice than I was willing to put into it). I ended up getting a pretty nice scholly from a regional t3, a bunch of shit went down back at home, and I just felt like it was going to be a now or never type of situation with going to law school, so I went to the t3. I transferred to a t10 last year, worked for a firm last summer, and am clerking next year. Probably not going back to the firm after the clerkship (it really isn't as great as people on TLS make it out to be). I guess it goes to show that anything's possible, and a bad LSAT score isn't really predictive of much of anything (in terms of grades, job opportunities, or even what law school you are going to wind up graduating from).

XxSpyKEx wrote:FWIW, my numbers were 4.0/149. I was planning on taking a year off and re-taking (there was just so much that went wrong on the day I took the LSAT; although, I don't think I would have done better than high 150s without a lot more practice than I was willing to put into it). I ended up getting a pretty nice scholly from a regional t3, a bunch of shit went down back at home, and I just felt like it was going to be a now or never type of situation with going to law school, so I went to the t3. I transferred to a t10 last year, worked for a firm last summer, and am clerking next year. Probably not going back to the firm after the clerkship (it really isn't as great as people on TLS make it out to be). I guess it goes to show that anything's possible, and a bad LSAT score isn't really predictive of much of anything (in terms of grades, job opportunities, or even what law school you are going to wind up graduating from).

Exception, not the rule.

I don't think even the most optimistic reverse-splitter would interpret his experience (149 > T10) as the norm. Thanks for pointing out the obvious. You made what is probably the most useless post in the entire history of TLS.

I know how fond you are of reverse splitters. Go troll another thread.

I'm a 3.92 GPA / 156 LSAT. Definitely fall within this category. Are there any schools in Tier 1 that tend to lean more towards the GPA as opposed to the LSAT score? I have some strong soft factors like a scholarship year abroad, five years worth of summer work experience, etc. I'm looking for schools ranked 15-30 where I might stand a chance...advice? Thanks in advance!

Good luck on your cycle! (BTW, what schools are you planning to apply?)

The list is in my profile - It's pretty long, but they were free, so why not? I had my interview at Northwestern (yay TSA screenings) not too long ago and the interviewer didn't seemed the slightest bit concerned about my LSAT given my GPA, CPE, letter of rec, and soft factors (and a history of leadership and project management).

I'll also be going to LS with my tuition and living expenses basically covered by the Yellow Ribbon Program (With some schools offering more than others, like UCLA who will essentially completely pay my tuition in tandem with the YRP) so if I end up at a lower tier 1 like UW or BC I won't be too perturbed.

Underground404 wrote:I'm a 3.92 GPA / 156 LSAT. Definitely fall within this category. Are there any schools in Tier 1 that tend to lean more towards the GPA as opposed to the LSAT score? I have some strong soft factors like a scholarship year abroad, five years worth of summer work experience, etc. I'm looking for schools ranked 15-30 where I might stand a chance...advice? Thanks in advance!

Don't listen to the naysayers. It will be harder, yes, but it's not impossible. I just got an interview invite with a 162 LSAT from Georgetown Law, and I have a 3.85 GPA. I certainly don't have an acceptance from Georgetown Law at this point, but I can say that a bad LSAT won't automatically put you in the reject pile if you work hard at everything else.

LSATNightmares wrote:Don't listen to the naysayers. It will be harder, yes, but it's not impossible. I just got an interview invite with a 162 LSAT from Georgetown Law, and I have a 3.85 GPA. I certainly don't have an acceptance from Georgetown Law at this point, but I can say that a bad LSAT won't automatically put you in the reject pile if you work hard at everything else.

If you get into Georgetown, you will be my hero. I have an additional four LSAT points and a slightly higher GPA, and I'm expecting a swift rejection (that is, if I apply).

Good luck on your cycle! (BTW, what schools are you planning to apply?)

The list is in my profile - It's pretty long, but they were free, so why not? I had my interview at Northwestern (yay TSA screenings) not too long ago and the interviewer didn't seemed the slightest bit concerned about my LSAT given my GPA, CPE, letter of rec, and soft factors (and a history of leadership and project management).

I'll also be going to LS with my tuition and living expenses basically covered by the Yellow Ribbon Program (With some schools offering more than others, like UCLA who will essentially completely pay my tuition in tandem with the YRP) so if I end up at a lower tier 1 like UW or BC I won't be too perturbed.

Wow! That sounds pretty nice! I'm glad they have such programs for our military.

I got a fee waiver from Northwestern, but I was too afraid to apply. My softs are nice (grad work, work during college, publication, scholarships, awards, etc.) but I don't think they are enough to give me a fighting chance at any of the T14.

Underground404 wrote:I'm a 3.92 GPA / 156 LSAT. Definitely fall within this category. Are there any schools in Tier 1 that tend to lean more towards the GPA as opposed to the LSAT score? I have some strong soft factors like a scholarship year abroad, five years worth of summer work experience, etc. I'm looking for schools ranked 15-30 where I might stand a chance...advice? Thanks in advance!

T30 isn't likely to happen. Give Iowa a try. I know a couple students with LSAT scores in the 156-158 range with ~3.3 GPAS. The school takes a more wholistic approach than some of the T1 schools, so you might have a shot, although a long one.

Good luck on your cycle! (BTW, what schools are you planning to apply?)

The list is in my profile - It's pretty long, but they were free, so why not? I had my interview at Northwestern (yay TSA screenings) not too long ago and the interviewer didn't seemed the slightest bit concerned about my LSAT given my GPA, CPE, letter of rec, and soft factors (and a history of leadership and project management).

I'll also be going to LS with my tuition and living expenses basically covered by the Yellow Ribbon Program (With some schools offering more than others, like UCLA who will essentially completely pay my tuition in tandem with the YRP) so if I end up at a lower tier 1 like UW or BC I won't be too perturbed.

Wow! That sounds pretty nice! I'm glad they have such programs for our military.

I got a fee waiver from Northwestern, but I was too afraid to apply. My softs are nice (grad work, work during college, publication, scholarships, awards, etc.) but I don't think they are enough to give me a fighting chance at any of the T14.

(Eek about the TSA screenings.)

You would have a hard time at Northwestern even with a higher LSAT score because you basically NEED work experience. 98% of last year's class had at least 2 years of full-time work experience either prior to university or afterward.

If I don't get into any T14 I won't be upset or surprised, except maybe Berkeley, since they're humongous GPA lovers. Anywhere in the low 20s and mid 20s I would expect given my full profile and what I would bring to a school. But we shall see...